Polestar has signed a deal blockchain technology provider Circulor that aims to extend its visibility of ethical raw materials sourcing.
As part of the latest agreement, Polestar will use Circulor’s blockchain technology to assess the environmental and human rights risks behind the sourcing of nickel, mica, manganese, graphite and lithium, amongst others.
Last year, Volvo Cars invested in Circulor through its investment arm Volvo Cars Tech Fund. Circulor’s blockchain technology is throughout Volvo Cars’ battery supply chain, including for the tracing of cobalt used in the XC40 Recharge P8, its first fully electric car.
Blockchain technology, which creates a distributed electronic ledger, allows parties involved in the supply chain to view, share and update critical documents such as bills of lading, invoices, terms and agreements relating to a particular shipment or transaction. The technology creates a digital twin of the raw material, which is then tracked through the supply chain, creating a transparent record of the various processes involved.
In terms of environmental risks, Polestar said that it would use the technology to get a clearer picture of the emissions created as part of the production process, including processing facility and through the supply chain. Circulor is building a greenhouse gas tracking solution on the blockchain that enables a more accurate view of the carbon emissions involved compared to using generic emissions data.
“Caring about ethics and the environment is key to Polestar,” said Polestar’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath. “This unprecedented level of traceability means that Polestar can promote sustainable and ethical practices in its supply chain, and provide better transparency for consumers.”
Polestar said that customers will be to follow the journey thanks to Polestar’s Product Sustainability Declaration, which discloses carbon footprint and traced risk materials through labelling on the company website and in Polestar Spaces.
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